Instructor:Professor Dan Curley
Office: 208b Harder Hall
Hours: MWF 11:10 a.m. - 12:05 p.m., and by appointment
Phone: (580-)5463
Email: dcurley@scott.skidmore.eduOverview.The story of biography is a short one—or so it seems.
Most retrospectives on the genre single out Suetonius and Plutarch, the
two core authors for this course, as the originators of life-writing.
Yet, as we shall see, the origins of biography (and its sibling, autobiography)
are far more complex and far more varied than mainstream scholarship allows.
Our objective in this semester is to trace out those origins and their
continuation in later literature. Along the way we shall consider
how each work asks to be seen, whether as history, propaganda, moral exemplar,
philosophy, literature, and fantasy.
Objectives.The specific goals for this course are
as follows:

to examine the relationship between Greek and Latin
biography and historical "reality";

to develop an appreciation for the composition and
style of ancient life-narration; and

to explore the conceptual foundations of Western
biographical writing;

Furthermore, students will obtain and exercise the
following skills:

to regard literature critically; that is, to
evaluate and analyze it with sensitivity and precision;

to communicate critical thinking in oral presentations
and written essays;

I have assigned a research paper of substantial
length for this semester, due 17 December. You will receive the topics
in advance, along with recommended bibliography from the reserve desk.
Because it is a research paper, I will hold you to the standards advocated
and outlined on the Skidmore Classics
homepage, in the section on Writing
Essays and Research Papers. The paper itself must be 12-15 pages,
typed, double-spaced, and free of mechanical and grammatical errors.

There are two examinations: a midterm and a final.
The final is essentially a second midterm, although it will have some cumulative
aspects. More information on each test as its date approaches.

Short assignments:
5%

A short assignment—such as a problem
to solve, a topic to consider, additional reading, and the like—will be
given every other class or so. Some must be handed in (in which case
they should be prepared like the paper, above);
others are designed to facilitate discussion. Whatever the case,
all assignments are due at or before the following class meeting.

Class participation involves more than
just attendance. You must also keep up with the readings and assignments,
and participate actively in class discussion. Furthermore, I expect
that you will come to class on time and that you will maintain an environment
that promotes the exchange of ideas. From time to time, I may ask
individual students to prepare a short presentation for the next class;
such presentations will count toward the class participation grade.

My attendance/late work policy is as follows.
Attendance is taken each class. You are allowed two "free" unexcused
absences from class over the course of the semester. Further unexcused
absences will lower your class participation grade at the rate of one grade
per absence. Two late arrivals to class will count as one absence.
Unexcused absences from an exam or presentation will incur the grade of
F, as will unexcused late papers, assignments, or projects. To excuse
absences or late work you must furnish documentation from a credible authority—doctor,
clergy member, professor, dean, and so on—who can testify to the nature
of your emergency. I shall also appreciate advance notification whenever
possible.

If you have any questions or comments regarding these
requirements and policies, please let me know.Timetable.I anticipate at least seven different units for this
course: historical biography, moral biography, philosophical biography,
poetic biography, religious biography, and autobiography. Note
that all readings and assignments must be completed by the specified date.